Bird of the Year 2026
Small bird
Big comeback
Karure (black robin) is the 2026 Bird of the Year!
Once down to just five birds, karure is one of Aotearoa’s great conservation comeback stories.
Every year, we turn the winner into a new Metalbird. This one lands next week.
Made in New ZealandDesigned and built here
3mm Corten steelBuilt to weather outdoors
55,000+ 5 Star ReviewsThousands of happy customers
New 2026 designWinner treatment in progress
From five birds to first place
In 1980, there were just five karure (black robin) left in the world. Only one was a breeding female, Old Blue.
Then along with Old Yellow as her mate, she became the heart of an extraordinary rescue effort. Eggs were moved, chicks were fostered, nests were watched like hawks, and slowly the karure began to recover.
Now it’s been crowned Bird of the Year 2026.
READ MORE
The winner, in steel
2026 Bird of the Year
Small bird. Big comeback.
The karure (black robin) has won Bird of the Year 2026, so naturally we’re making a new one. Yes, we already have a Black Robin. But no, we couldn’t leave it at that.
The new design stays under wraps until next week, but here’s a hint: it’s shaping up to be twice as cute.
- 30% of profits from this Metalbird is donated to Forest & Bird.
- Made right here in New Zealand
- Crafted from Corten Steel, designed to last
Pre-order the winning bird
Out in the wild
Real birds. Real backyards.
We could tell you how much people love their Metalbirds, but it’s probably better if we show you.
★★★★★
I have bought 15+ birds. I love them all. They are very thick, so they don’t bend. I also give them as gifts to my loved ones. The price is great for the quality.
Colleen
★★★★★
When I received my Metalbird, it was even better than I expected. The quality is outstanding, and my husband was so excited to receive it as a gift.
Rosalie
The hard part is choosing the right spot.
01
Find a sturdy spot
A mature tree, fence, post, pergola or rail.
02
Line it up
Choose the angle and give the silhouette clean sky or a simple background.
03
Tap tap tap
Use a hammer or mallet. Pre-drill a guide hole for very hard timber.
04
Step back & admire
We make the bird. You finish the artwork by choosing where it belongs.
Yes, it rusts. Properly.
CorTen® weathering steel is built to change outdoors.
You will see a change in colour, but it’s not the flaky, destructive rust you’re thinking of. It’s a natural transformation. The steel forms a protective outer layer called patina, which seals it off from the elements.
At first, you’ll notice bright orange spots (we call this the teenage phase). Soon enough, the whole bird will turn a bold orange, slowly shifting into deep burnt umber. Eventually, it settles into a moody charcoal.
So, will it rust? Yep. And that’s exactly what it’s meant to do.
2026 Bird of the Year
Back the bird that came back.
Karure has already done the impossible bit. You just need a hammer and somewhere worthy of the winner.
